Tight ends Ricky Seals-Jones, Gabe Holmes praised for blocking

The Arizona Cardinals have little experience in the tight end room right now. Jermaine Gresham is the unquestioned starter, but is coming off a torn Achilles and might or might not be ready to play when the season begins.

After Gresham, everyone is unproven, but two tight ends received specific praise from coach Steve Wilks.

He is pleased with what he is seeing from Ricky Seals-Jones and Gabe Holmes.

“I think when you look at Ricky and you look at Gabe, we understand and know the athleticism that they have and the ability they can create on the outside for us and matchup with a linebacker or a safety, but I am very impressed with their willingness right now to block,” he said after practice Tuesday. “That’s one of the things we have been missing. (They are) gritty, hard workers, and I see the improvement there as well.”

Seals-Jones was an undrafted rookie last season who converted from receiver to tight end. He had 12 catches and three touchdowns in limited playing time late in the season.

Holmes played in two games last season, the only two games of his career that began in 2015. He has bounced from practice squad to practice squad. He was on Arizona’s practice squad for two weeks before being promoted to the active roster for the final two games of the season.

With Gresham sidelined for now, it is the perfect opportunity for one or both of these players to improve and earn significant playing time for the upcoming season.